In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar.The team behind Moira (Ghostzapper) is back with another very promising filly.Belle (f, 3, Uncle Mo–Lunar Evening, by Malibu Moon) was a too-good-to-lose second–beaten just a head by 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' La Rascasse (Authentic)–first time out for trainer Kevin Attard in a live maiden special weight going seven furlongs at Keeneland Apr. 11.Overlooked at 12-1 in a deep field of 12, Belle was away in good order from post 11 and raced in some traffic in sixth beneath Kazushi Kimura through an opening quarter in :22.43.Under a ride on the far turn, she began to get going while out in the clear and was at least five wide approaching the quarter pole.Belle set her sights on the now-in-front La Rascasse as they straightened and drew up alongside in the stretch.With Belle holding the slightest of advantages passing the first wire, Kimura, just for a split second, appeared to mistake it for the finish line and ever so briefly took his foot off the gas pedal for a stride or two.A BRAVE DEBUT FROM LA RASCASSE ($14.10)!The @resracingky filly was stalwart in the stretch of the 8th at @keenelandracing. The 3YO filly by @spendthriftfarm's Authentic is in the barn of @wwaldenracing. What a ride from @a_concepcion16.Next: https://t.co/crebR4OEDC pic.twitter.com/3oGsvEOFUe— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 11, 2026With the two fillies still going toe to toe with neither giving an inch, the Will Walden-trained $750,000 Keeneland September yearling La Rascasse fought on gamely along the inside and got her head down on the line first.The pair both earned matching 84 Beyer Speed Figures.“She ran really well,” Attard said.“The winner was very game, a very good horse herself and a 'TDN Rising Star,' right? The circumstances behind it are unfortunate with Kimura misjudging the wire. Was it enough to cost her to get beat? You ask 10 different people, you're probably gonna get 10 different answers. You can't take anything away from the winner though.”Despite what the tote board read, there was plenty of chatter surrounding Belle–a $325,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase for the Donato Lanni-led X-Men Racing V and Sol Kumin-headed Madaket Stables–ahead of her unveiling.Attard trained the aforementioned Canadian Horse of the Year and champion turf mare Moira on behalf of Madaket Stables, SF Racing and X-Men Racing to memorable wins in the 2024 GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar and the 2022 Queen's Plate S. at Woodbine.“I did say to somebody (in the paddock) that she reminded me a lot of Moira–in the sense of when she ships, how she kinda takes everything in and the class and poise that she shows,” Attard said.“For a young horse, I thought how she transitioned from her home base, at the time Palm Meadows, to Keeneland, just her demeanor reminded me a lot of Moira in that aspect.”After posting 13 workouts for Attard at Woodbine last spring/summer, Belle resurfaced on the worktab at Palm Meadows in January. She breezed 10 more times this season ahead of her debut, including a five-furlong breeze in 1:01.50 (3/19) Mar. 20.“We were very high on her and we thought very highly of her at two,” Attard said. “I was really anticipating seeing her run last year, but we had a bit of a setback that just needed some time.The main reason why we stabled in Florida this year was because of her. That's how much I thought of this horse. My whole winter plans were based around her. She had shown me enough at two that I thought we had something that possibly could be special.”Belle has returned to Woodbine and could make her next start there or back in Kentucky, per Attard.“We're gonna give her some time and let her get ready,” Attard said. “Very happy to have her in the barn and we're looking forward to what the future holds.”Kumin added, “We have been high on Belle since the beginning, she got a little unlucky to get beat in her first race at Keeneland. We are excited to see what she can accomplish this year.”The daughter of late leading sire Uncle Mo is a full-sister to grassy GII Hill Prince S. winner Celestial City. Belle was produced by Lunar Evening, a winning Stuart S. Janney, III, homebred half-sister to GI Donn H. winner Hymn Book (Arch). Lunar Evening brought just $18,000 from Shawhan Place at the 2021 Keeneland November sale. Belle was bred in Kentucky by Shawhan Place, Dr. Perry Wornall, William A. Thomson, et al. Since launching 'Second Chances' in 2017, 78 maidens have been featured in these pages (through 2025), producing 22% graded stakes winners, 35% stakes winners and 49% stakes horses. The series has introduced nine future winners at the top level, led by 2025 Horse of the Year and dual Classic winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief), 2023 Horse of the Year Cody's Wish (Curlin) and fellow two-time Breeders' Cup winner Golden Pal (Uncle Mo). Commandment (Into Mischief), winner of the GI Curlin Florida Derby and a leading contender for the GI Kentucky Derby, was profiled in 'Second Chances' following a debut fourth at Keeneland last fall.The post Second Chances: Attard ‘Looking Forward to What the Future Holds’ With Belle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.